Chapter 2 

 USE OF THE ESTUARINE ZONE 



IV-95 



The predominant uses of any par- 

 ticular estuarine area depend on 

 historical and economic develop- 

 ment, pooulation pressures, and 

 the kinds of natural resources 

 jp* 8 available for exploitation. The 

 socio-economic environment of 

 the estuarine zone is the direct 

 result of the value of the estu- 

 arine zone as a means of sustenance, 

 a place to live and work, a source of enjoyment, and a means of 

 transportation. This chapter describes that environment in terms 

 of how the biophysical environment is exploited to serve man's 

 needs and shows conceptually how valuable it is to his society 

 (IV-2-1). 



The major values of the estuarine zone to society from the framework 

 for discussing the relationships of individual uses, their compatibil- 

 ity with other uses, and the physical modification that has taken 

 place to support these uses. 



